How to use 2 Minute Timer
- The timer opens set to two minutes (02:00). Press Start, or tap the 2 min quick time, to begin.
- Brush, steep or speak until the bell rings; the time left shows on the page and in the browser tab.
- Children can watch the bar fill up, which makes the full two minutes of brushing easier to finish.
- Press Stop sound when it rings, or Start again for another two minutes.
Why use 2 Minute Timer
Tooth brushing timer
Dentists advise brushing for two minutes, twice a day; a visible countdown helps children keep going to the end.
Tea and noodles
Two minutes suits many green teas and instant noodles; press +1 min for a stronger cup.
Short talks
Practise a two minute pitch or interview answer, and repeat it with "Start again when it ends".
Pick your alarm
Choose a bell, beep or chime for the 2 minute timer and press Test to check the volume before you start.
About this tool
Two minutes is how long the NHS and the American Dental Association advise brushing your teeth, twice a day. It is also a good steeping time for many green teas, the cooking time on many packets of instant noodles, and a typical limit for a short pitch or a spoken answer.
A two minute timer on a phone, tablet or laptop saves guessing. It counts down from the moment it will end, so the time stays exact if you switch tabs, and the bell is set up the moment you press Start. For a longer brew, tap 3 min or 5 min instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I brush my teeth?
Two minutes, twice a day, is the usual advice from dentists. Start the timer when you begin and stop when the bell rings.
Can I run two minutes again and again?
Yes. Turn on "Start again when it ends" for back-to-back rounds of two minutes.
Will it ring if the screen turns off?
Keep "Keep the screen on" turned on. If the phone locks, many browsers pause the page and the bell may not ring until you open it.
Can I pause the 2 minute timer?
Yes. Press Pause to stop the countdown and Start to carry on from where it stopped. Reset puts it back to 2 minutes.
Does the 2 minute timer work on my phone?
Yes. Open the page in any phone browser and press Start. Keep the page open and the sound on, and the alarm rings when the 2 minute is up, even if you switch to another app for a moment.